The Nintendo Direct online stream has just finished and I’ve decided to do a small summary for those who missed out. This isn’t going to be the most well written post but rather quick fire summary of what Iwata-san spoke of during the Nintendo Direct stream.
- Two Wii U system updates are coming in both Spring & Summer.
- Both will aim to improve the Wii U overall performance speeds and software start times.
- Virtual Console is coming to Wii after the Spring update.
- Entire Virtual Console line up isn’t available right away, Virtual Console games have to be reprogrammed individually.
- NES & SNES titles are expected to launch with the Wii U Virtual Console first.
- Wii U Virtual Console titles will feature off screen support via the GamePad.
- GameBoy Advance is coming to the Virtual Console (3DS?)
- Users who transferred their Virtual Console games to Wii U can purchase an upgraded Wii U version for a small fee.
- This version is the one that is playable via the GamePad. Basically if you hate playing VC on Wii U via Wii mode then you’ll need to upgrade and repurchase each title thought for a discounted price.
- Pikmin 3 allows players to use the GamePad as a camera to take pictures and post on Miiverse.
- Miiverse will be expanded in future to allow user created communities.
- Miiverse filters will be added in future so good posts will no longer get buried.
- Miiverse will be available via internet browsers in the future.
- Nintendo is also developing a Miiverse app for smartphones, Nintendo ID required to login.
- Apps such as Netflix, Lovefilm will be coming to the rest of Europe in the future.
- TVii will be coming to Europe in the future, no date given.
- Iwata-san is sorry for the lack of new Wii U content during January/February.
- The Wonderful 101 trailer is shown, looks great.
- Bayonetta 2 is a while off so a development team video is shown instead of a trailer.
- Iwata asks Platinum Games feature will be available on the Nintendo site in the future.
- Hideki Kamiya will also be featured in a future Iwata Asks.
- Smash Bros Wii U still too early to show but will be revealed in some form at E3.
- The Super Mario Galaxy team are working on a new 3D Mario title for Wii U and will be revealed at E3.
- Mario Kart Wii U is also in development and it too will be at E3.
- Wii Party U is revealed.
- Yoshi Land is revealed, made by the Kirby Epic Yarn team and looks very similar too.
- Shin-Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem revealed, co-developed with Atlus
- More Nintendo co-developed titles are in the works.
- Legend of Zelda Wii U is in development, should be “different” but it will be a while before we see it.
- Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker HD revealed for Wii U, coming out before the end of the year.
- Features off screen GamePad support, new upgraded visuals and the game experience is tweaked. Basically they are getting rid of that stupid Triforce quest.
- Video footage of Monolith Soft’s Wii U game is shown, imagine Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii U.
There you have it then, hopefully my summary gets all the points across. The impression I got from the Nintendo Direct stream is that Nintendo are actually stepping up their game, finally there’s some stuff to get excited about and we should see much more at E3. We’ll keep you updated with official trailers and media once Nintendo releases them.
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YouTube Source: Nintendo
